Cobb School Board Names Interim Superintendent

“The success of our school district depends on the work the teachers do each and every day and the teaching and learning within our classrooms must become and remain the primary focus of the school district,” Ragsdale said.  

Afterwards, Ragsdale said he’s up to the task of tackling big issues, such as reducing class sizes and closing the district’s budget gap.

“I think moving forward everyone—employees, students, community– is going to be pleased with this year’s budget,” he said. “I don’t see any cuts forthcoming.”

Cobb faced an estimated $80 million deficit this year. District officials will unveil next year’s budget next week.

Monica DeLancy is a South Cobb parent. She’s also running for the Georgia House of Representatives. DeLancy, who has two children in middle school, said she liked what Ragsdale had to say.

“Especially when you have the math and science classes and you’re talking about 30 kids in a classroom; we really need to be about 20 kids,” she said. “So it can be more effective. So, I like the fact that he says he’s going to focus on reducing class size.”

Connie Jackson is also pleased with Ragsdale’s nomination. Jackson, the president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, said she thinks he’ll be sensitive to teachers’ needs.

“We represent bus drivers and everyone, too, which fall under him currently, and that’s where we’ve had a lot of our dealings,” Jackson said. “He’s been very willing to work on issues of worker rights and getting fair treatment with transportation. So, I expect the exact same thing out of him for teachers.”

The school board will take a final vote on Ragsdale’s position next week. If approved, his contract will likely run through May of 2015.